Triangle Neighborhood Association

Monday, January 7, 2008

 

1.             The regular monthly meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on January 7, 2008 in the library of Warner Elementary School.  It began a 7:06 PM.   There were 22 persons present, and  eight persons joined the meeting in progress.

2.             Howard Sholl, President of the Association, made a few announcements to the group:

·      Each year the city publishes a directory of services.

·      Captain Maggitti, TNA’s community police officer, has retired.  He will serve as the Director of Safety for Downtown Vision. 

·      Sgt. Kane, Wilmington Police Department, was present.  No monthly crime statistics were available.

·      The two community police officers are Bill Draper (463-4207) and Joe Miller (463-4204).

·      Over the last month, Night Watch confronted kids who were attempting to steal a car.  Confrontation can be dangerous.  It would be better to write down the address of a nearby home to record the incident.

·      Sgt. Kane spoke up to offer a local workshop.  He would be willing to go on a Town Watch shift.  A discussion followed, which surfaced recommendations:

o     Perhaps have a presentation at a TNA meeting.

o     Offer a gathering this winter with pizza for participants.

o     Invite neighbors to attend a meeting by sending out an email.

·      The Fire Chief will speak later to the group about the moving of a fire station from the Highlands area.

3.             Norm Griffiths, Councilman for the 2nd District, addressed the group:

·      A new stop sign was installed at Monroe Street leading into 18th Street.  Tom Bakes was instrumental in acquiring the new sign.

·      City Council has been very busy.

·      Business licenses are required now, even if only one rental property is owned.

·      Bud Freel, Councilman At-Large, spoke to emphasize that rental properties must be listed with the City.

·      A question from the floor about the rental of garages was referred to 576-2140 for an answer.

·      Put discarded Christmas trees out on the curb and call 576-3878 to request collection.

·      Councilman Prado has sponsored dumpster legislation in an effort to curb odors and over flow of trash.  Bud Freel interjected that there was a concern about apartment areas.  The legislation passed on Thursday, January 3, 2008.

·      Wage Tax is required on income.  If one lives in the City, the tax is owed, even if one works outside of the City. Ninety percent of employers withhold taxes; however, the City has been more active collecting these taxes.   About two million dollars was netted in the previous calendar year.

·      Ted Blunt, Council President, has announced that he will be running for Lt. Governor.  I (Norm Griffiths) will be running for Council President.  September 9, 2008 is the date for the Democrat primary.  Two other candidates are present with us at tonight’s meeting.

4.             Bud Freel, Councilman At-large, addressed the group:

·      On May 22, 2008, the property at 800 West 22nd Street will be brought before the court.  The hope is that the property will be turned over to the City.  There should be no utility service to the building now.

·      2008 is an election year, and I (Bud Freel) will be running for Councilman At-large.

5.             Willie J. Patrick, Jr., Wilmington Fire  Chief, addressed the group:

·      Howard and Norm were approached and asked for permission to attend the TNA meeting.

·      $2.6 million has been allocated in the Phase One of fire stations’ renovations.

·      The station at 1814 Gilpin Street was built in 1893.  We want to replace it; however, the building will not be demolished.  There is a possibility of having a museum on the second floor.  Currently, Station 5 is looking for a place.

·      A good piece of current legislation will required emergency drills for high-rise buildings.

·      Call 571-4361 to request smoke alarms and batteries.

·      The Fire Department has an Explore Program for men and women ages 15 to 20.  It exposes these young people to the Fire Department.  If young persons would want to join, they should call 576-3590.

·      Response to a question: The fire company at 22nd and Tatnall is the second company to respond to a fire need in the TNA area.

·      Complement from the floor: The recent rescue of the seven firefighters was impressive.  RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) was responsible for the successful rescue.              

6.             John Rago, the Mayor’s Office representative, addressed the group:

·      You know that Norm Griffiths is the Chair of the City’s Finance Committee.  Much of the City’s good financial standing is due to Norm’s work.

·      Instant ticketing for property neglect issues is changing behaviors.

·      A new police academy started on January 7, 2008.  A total of 92 recruits started the program.

·      The City has approved an addition of 18 new police officers.

·      The process which works for the disposal of yard waste will be used for the disposal for Christmas trees.

·      TNA should be congratulated for having a 34% rate for recycling trash.

·      A flier about a City Services Fair was distributed.  Each year four or five fairs are conducted each year.  One will be brought to the TNA area.

·      Comment from the floor:  Sewers should be cleaned to prevent flooding.   The warm weather would be a good time to clear debris.

·      Comment from the floor: Piles of leaves can be set on fire with a car’s catalytic converter.

·      Suggestions from the floor: Remove the leaves from under the bridge near Baynard Stadium.  The leaves and mud needs to be cleaned up near Warner School’s parking lot on Van Buren Street.

·      The traffic light program to film the offenders has shown a 70 percent drop in offenses.  It will be expanded to the Concord and Broom intersection, the Augustine Cutoff and Lovering Street intersection.  In total, there will be five new locations.

·      One can make a right turn on red at the Concord and Broom intersection.

·      Suggestion from the floor: Signs should be put up at Concord and Baynard to curb the noise.  Reply: Call Dave Blankenship to register the complaint.

·      Suggestion:  After certain hours, put the traffic lights in the blinking mode.  There is a danger to stay stopped at a traffic light late at night.  Reply from Bud Freel: There would be an increase of accidents, if the traffic lights were put in blinking mode.

7.             Howard Sholl addressed the group again:

·      Senator McDowell called to say he could not be present for tonight’s meeting.

·      The TNA treasury is $4,435.95, according to our treasurer, Lee McKelvey.

·      New neighbors are welcome.  Frank Joyce is the best contact for information.

·      Question from the floor:  Has anyone written a history of the neighborhood?  Answer:  We only have bits and pieces.

·      Question from the floor: What is the status of Prestige Academy?  Answer: Single gender Charter Schools are not legal in Delaware.  The issue is being debated in the state legislature.

·      Norm Griffiths mentioned that there are other issues with Prestige Academy.  Several members of TNA attended a Red Clay Consolidated School District Board meeting; however, there has not been any resolution to the varied issues.

·      John Rago spoke of the poor financial management of the Red Clay Consolidated School District.  There will be a referendum in late February to raise property taxes.

·      Norm Griffiths said that the whole 2nd Council District is in the Red Clay Consolidate School District.

·      Question from the floor: The chiller on 19th street creates excessive noise.  Reply from John Rago: Call Jim DiPinto in City Zoning.  Possibly a reading can be taken during a test run.

8.             Announcement:  The next meeting will be held on February 11 at 7:00 PM at Salesianum School.

9.             The meeting concluded at 8:20 PM